Down the Ocean

The first time the Herg family ever spent a week at Ocean Pines in Ocean City, Mia was only four months old. Now she is six and has a one year old brother, Mason. She also has a one-and-some-change year old cousin, Caitlin. The pitter-patter of little feet around the condo this year was a pretty big (but welcome) change from years past. There is nothing more fun than watching a little kid discover waves for the first time; or curiously (and unsteadily) explore the sand. Waking up to the energetic grins of toddles never gets old. And it is always fun to marvel at the fact that Mia beats you at Memory (and most games for that matter) every single time you play. Even when you don't let her win.

With the addition of kids, came a certain element of tag teaming among the adults. This made it more difficult to carve out time for the long conversations we used to enjoy so much. It also made the times we did find all the more special.

Eric and I showed up at the condo (with four coolers procured from various sources) full of Maryland Blue Crabs (I'm salivating just thinking about them). We were greeted by one of Kelly's incomparable bear hugs, which are quite impressive considering her tiny stature. Eric got to meet Masoona Tuna for the very first time and give Mia a big hug for the first time in over a year. Once we made our way upstairs, we had to catch Caitlin, who had become mobile since the last time we'd seen her, for a quick hug & kiss before she was on her way again.

On the first night, we had a huge crab feast. Eric taught Mia how to pick a crab, and for the first time many of us could remember, we got to eat as many crabs as we wanted. Until we were stuffed. So decadent...

The rest of the week was a crazy blur of trips to the beach (both oceanside and bayside- below is a picture of how we traveled),  meals (to include a first birthday party for Tuna), and visiting with friends and family. Margo, Lee, and Levi spent an afternoon with us at the condo and at the end of the week we went to uncle Jeff and aunt Mary Lynn's house where we got to see a lot of extended family.

On our last night of vacation, we drove to Rehoboth Beach to go out and eat pizza for dinner. Afterward, we walked the Boardwalk and rode the rides. When we got home from that adventure, Eric's mom and dad agreed to watch the kiddos so the big kiddos could head out for a night on the town. We walked to a bar down the street and enjoyed an opportunity to catch up with each other. We had a great night, but decided that next year, we'd pull our all-nighter earlier in the week...we were all hurting a little when it came time to pack the cars and drive home the next morning. Overall, it was a fun-filled week that flew by way to fast (zilliions of thank yous to Jerry and Lourdes for making it all possible). Can't wait to do it all over again!